A Reaction–Diffusion–Reaction System for Forming Periodic Precipitation Bands of Cu-Fe-Based Prussian Blue Analogues

We propose a simple and novel system to form precipitation patterns of Cu-Fe-based Prussian blue analogues (Cu-Fe PBA) in agarose gel through coupled electrochemical reactions, reactant ion diffusion influenced by electric field, and precipitation reactions. The spatiotemporal evolution, spatial dis...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Hisashi Hayashi, Tomoko Suzuki
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-05-01
Series:Applied Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/11/11/5000
Description
Summary:We propose a simple and novel system to form precipitation patterns of Cu-Fe-based Prussian blue analogues (Cu-Fe PBA) in agarose gel through coupled electrochemical reactions, reactant ion diffusion influenced by electric field, and precipitation reactions. The spatiotemporal evolution, spatial distribution, and crystallite morphologies of the precipitates were investigated by visual inspection, Fe <i>K</i>α intensity distribution measurements, and optical and scanning electron microscope observations. The observed precipitation patterns and their evolution depended on the applied voltage. Multicolored periodic precipitation bands were stochastically formed under cyclic alternating voltage (4 V for 1 h and then 1 V for 4 h per cycle). The distances between adjacent bands were randomly distributed (0.30 ± 0.25 mm). The sizes and shapes of the crystallites generated in the gel were position-dependent. Cubic but fairly irregular crystallites (0.1–0.8 μm) were formed in the periodic bands, whereas definitely cube-shaped crystallites (1–3 μm) appeared close to the anode. These cube-like reddish–brown crystallites were assigned to Cu-Fe<sup>II</sup> PBA. In some periodic bands, plate-like blue crystallites (assigned to Cu(OH)<sub>2</sub>) were also present. Future issues for potential applications of the observed periodic banding for selective preparation of Cu-Fe PBA crystallites were discussed.
ISSN:2076-3417